Leh The Ladakh Umlingla Challenge 2025, part of the high-altitude race series Summit or Surrender, concluded successfully on July 21 with a medal ceremony at Shaolin Ladakh, Leh.
Held at Umlingla Top—the world’s highest motorable road—the event pushed human endurance to its limits at an elevation of 5,799 meters (19,024 feet), surpassing even the altitude of Everest Base Camp.
Flagged off at 7:00 AM on July 20 by Assistant Commandant Dr. Suraj of the 21st Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the race featured multiple categories including 70K, 50K, 42K, 21K, and 10K distances.
Each route posed extreme physical and mental challenges, making them the highest altitude road races conducted globally.
Runners from across India and Nepal participated in this remarkable event. Among the participants were Anurag Saini from India and Manoj Kumar Shah from Nepal-who recently completed the Everest Marathon.
For them, the Umlingla Challenge marked an even more demanding milestone in their ultramarathon journey.
The event also celebrated inspiring stories such as that of 64-year-old Retired Brigadier Sanjay Dikhit, the oldest participant this year, and Susmita Jha, who became the first and only female finisher in the 50K category.
The event witnessed strong participation from the local community, with nearly 40% of runners hailing from Ladakh, indicating the region’s rising interest in high-altitude endurance sports.
All participants completed their respective categories within the official cut-off time, highlighting the success of both the athletes and the organizing team.
The race was made possible through the close coordination and support of multiple agencies. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police managed on-ground medical and altitude support, while the Indian Army’s 14 Corps ensured route safety and emergency readiness in high-risk zones near the Line of Actual Control. The Border Roads Organisation maintained the challenging access routes.
The Sarmang Society, which organized the event, expressed deep gratitude to LAHDC Leh, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Leh, Ladakh Tourism Department, Chief Medical Officer Leh, the Departments of Youth and Sports, Education, Ladakh Police, and the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) for their administrative and promotional support.
The successful conclusion of the Umlingla Challenge marks another significant milestone in India’s growing high-altitude endurance sports ecosystem. It reflects the vision of the Sarmang Society to promote India as a global destination for ultra and extreme altitude racing while encouraging responsible tourism across the trans-Himalayan region.
Summit or Surrender, the race series under which the Umlingla Challenge is conducted, is India’s premier platform for high-altitude ultramarathons.
In addition to Ladakh, it also hosts the Mana Pass Challenge in Uttarakhand, making the series home to the two highest ultramarathon routes in the world. These events aim to foster not only adventure and athleticism but also environmental consciousness, border awareness, and a deeper connection with the Himalayas.
The entire race was conducted under the leadership of RRCA-certified Race Director Anil Mohan, who also serves as Secretary of the Sarmang Society and is the founder of Sarmang Adventure Tours. Volunteers led by Pragati Rawat and Shivangee Rana ensured smooth execution across the high-altitude terrain, contributing significantly to the event’s success.
With unmatched altitude, flawless execution, and inspiring stories of courage, the Ladakh Umlingla Challenge 2025 has firmly cemented its place as a defining event in the world of high-altitude endurance racing.
